B016803 - PHYSIOLOGY

Italian

The aim is to learn the physiology of excitable cells, central nervous system and of cardiovascular, respiratory, renal and digestive apparatuses . The approach of the study will be integrative, ranging from how whole organs work and interact to control body functions, down to the molecular mechanisms operating within cells. A major focus of the course will be on the different techniques developed by modern biological and medical research to approach the study of cellular and system functions

Fisiologia, Stanfield, EdiSESEdises
Fisiologia umana, Silverthorn, Pearson,
Fisiologia-Molecole, cellule e sistemi, D’angelo-Peres,edi-ermes.

Acquire an appropriate functional background of cells, tissues, organs & systems. Describe the integration of physiological functions, which characterize the performance of the human body as a whole in health and in presence of pathological alterations. Build an uptated background for the understanding of the principles of drug action and of the strategies of regenerative medecine.

Propedeuticity

Lectures

Program and teaching available on Didonline UNIFI

Written examination (12 sessions per year; 1 hour time) assessing i) the acquisition of appropriate knowledge of cellular and organ basis of human physiology; ii) the degree of development of the scientific attitude to the study in the biotecnology field.

Cellular Physiology: membrane, transports, liquid compartments. Electrical properties of excitable cells: resting membrane potential, action potential. Classification of nervous fibres. Synaptic transmission: neurotransmitters, neuromuscular junction, neuronal synapses. EPSP, IPSP. Skeletal muscle: structural basis of muscle contraction, E-C coupling. Mechanics and energetic of muscle contraction. Motor units. Smooth muscle: general properties, classification, structure-function relation. Neurophysiology: Functional organization of nervous system. Sensory receptors: structure and classification. Sensory transduction and codification. Functional Organization of Sensory and Motor systems.
Organ Physiology. cardio-circulatory system. heart: structure and ultrastructure of myocardium, E-C coupling. Mechanical and electrical properties of the heart. ECG. Cardiac cycle. Intrinsic and extrinsic regulation of cardiac function. Circulation: blood vessels, emodynamic principles, systemic pressure and its regulation, capillary exchanges. Respiratory system: physical aspects of ventilation, mechanics of breathing, gas exchange in the lungs. General survey of Renal and gastrointestinal functions.